Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder

What Is Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder?

Adhesive capsulitis is marked by unusually severe amounts of shoulder inflammation
followed by MASSIVE amounts of adhesion settling INSIDE and around the joint capsule.The condition is usually started by trauma (even very mild trauma) or secondary to some other
disease process. In the first phase of adhesive capsulitis, severe pain and inflammation take place and may last for
a month or so. During this phase, frequently icing down the shoulder and plenty of anti-inflammatory medications are
very important.

Following the inflammatory phase is the adhesive phase. During this phase large amounts
of adhesion settle within the joint capsule, leading to severe loss of
joint motion
(Frozen Shoulder). It is during this phase that ART should be implemented RIGHT AWAY!

What's Going Wrong In Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder?

1.

Adhesion. The "frozen shoulder
process" is usually started by an injury to the shoulder. The type of injury can vary but is usually
some type of overuse activity of the shoulder creating a large amount of inflammation. Most people DO NOT
develop adhesive capsulitis and frozen shoulder at this point. However, some do. In these cases, the
amount of damage previously incurred (including adhesions) to the shoulder could play a role in the
severity of the capsulitis and frozen shoulder.

2.

Strength and Flexibility Imbalances. Weak
muscles in the shoulder will allow it to become inflamed much easier than a strong one. This is important
because most people who develop capsulitis / frozen shoulder were just getting work done around the house
or went out and played softball for the first time in 5 years and felt some shoulder pain the next day
from the overuse activities. The problem is the shoulder does not heal fast and the inflammatory process
gets worse. The stronger your shoulders are the less they will get damaged with menial tasks and regular
sporting activities. This is one of the more severe cases of "Weekend Warrior Syndrome".

3.

Structural Damage or Alteration. Damage to
the capsule / joint will usually just cause lots of pain and set you up for arthritis. However, if the
damage is associated with large amounts of inflammation, this damage can lead to capsulitis and frozen
shoulder.

How Can ART Help Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder?

The Frozen Shoulder process is due almost fully to massive amounts of inflammation and adhesion.
The obvious first step is to control inflammation as much as possible with ice and anti-inflammatories. Following the
inflammatory phase is where the large amounts of adhesion begins to set in. It is crucial to get ART performed on the
area as soon as possible. The longer someone goes into this phase without treatment, the longer it will take to get
back the normal ranges of motion.